In four-man Wolf Hammer, going blind lone wolf (before anyone has teed off) multiplies every bet (the hole + all the junk, which is explained below) by four. Going lone wolf after you hit multiplies everything by three. Going lone wolf after everyone else hits multiplies everything by two. If you pick a partner, everything is worth one dot.

Starting on the 16th hole, the individual down the most money becomes the wolf and can dictate the value of dots from then on. This applies for the remainder of the round (for instance, if the person down the most going into hole 16 comes out way ahead and is no longer behind, then the new lowest person is the wolf and sets dot value on hole 17). This gives the low man on the totem pole a chance to win their money back… or dig an even deeper hole.

The main strategic elements lie in choosing your partner and timing your hammers and takes. The “junk” (detailed below) plays out on its own. All points for each hole go to the team as a whole. If my partner gets a Hogan, that’s a point for each of us. If we both get a Hogan, we each get two points, etc.

When a hammer is thrown and taken, the opposing team promptly throws the hammer back.

A noticeable fart during your tee shot swing only requires you to make par or better. The signal to alert your playing partners that a fart may be imminent is, “Quiet please!”

When you take a penalty stroke for being in the hazard and make par or better, no penalty stroke means no creekie.

Two team members score a birdie or better on the same hole.

On par 3s only, be the closest to the pin on the green in regulation, and you must make par or better.

In honor of Bill Haas. If you find yourself in a water hazard and create a visible splash while taking a shot, and you score par or better.

When you hit the fairway and the green in regulation and make par or better on a par 5, your second shot (if it’s short of the green) must also land in the fairway.

When you miss both the fairway and the green in regulation but still make par or better. On a par 5, your second shot must also miss the fairway.

When a team earns 7 or more dots on a hole, an extra dot is added because they have just been violated.

Three team members birdie or better on the same hole. Note: Dottie Pepper is also awarded when a ménage is won.

When the ball hits something and bounces further back than the spot from which the shot was played, and you make par or better.

Standing two feet in the bunker while the ball is outside and you make par or better.

Any shot that goes in from off the green for par or better, without using the putter.

When a team scores 10 or more dots on a hole, an extra dot is added. Double-digit murder.

A par or better putt holed from outside the length of the flagstick.

The first dot of the day earns an extra dot for their team after drawing first blood.

When the ball strikes the flagstick and you achieve par or better.

Make par or better from any bunker (double sandy is possible if you achieve par or better).

Paying tribute to Tony Lema; may he rest in peace! Yes, sandy is also involved here.

When your ball lies in a foreign fairway—where it must be in the short grass—and you make par or better.

If the ball goes out of bounds and you score par or better.

When the ball is located between two bunkers and you score par or better, you must establish your foot position with the ball between your feet before reaching for the bunkers. If you can access two separate bunkers with a rake in either hand without moving your feet, the taint is in play.

When you stick your approach in regulation inside the length of the flag stick and you make par or better.

Stick your second shot on a par 5 or your tee shot on a par 4 inside the flag stick and you make par or better.

The ball bounces off the rocks (not the cart path) – hence Rocky Balboa – allowing you to make par or better.

When you take two shots from the same bunker, the opposing team receives a Dot.

Bunker to a water hazard or OB; dot for the other team.

When you move from one bunker to another, the opposing team receives a Dot.

A double hit on the golf ball results in the opposing team receiving a Dot.